Packing tips for college students
Between studying for finals and saying goodbye to friends, it can be hard to find time to pack. That’s why we’ve rounded up our best packing tips for college students, so you can get it all done with less stress.
Be sure to start packing early because it will take longer than you think!
How to pack fragile and odd-shaped items
Put knives inside an old oven mitt and label them as sharp to prevent injuries.
Stack plates on their side (like in a dish rack!) when packing boxes.
Put cotton balls in powdered makeup containers (i.e., blush and eyeshadow) so they don’t crumble.
Use straws or toilet paper rolls for necklaces.
Use a pill case for earrings and rings.
Wrap small kitchen items in paper and then place them inside big pots.
Use rubber bands to secure lids on pots and pans.
Use soft items like old newspapers, plastic grocery bags, dish towels, and t-shirts to protect dishes, glassware, framed photos, and electronics.
Put books in small boxes, so they’re easier to lift.
General packing tips
Scope out your new space. Is your apartment / dorm room furnished? Does it have a microwave? What items are your future roommates bringing? This will make it easier to decide what items to keep, donate, or recycle as you’re packing.
Pack one room at a time, and try to keep “like” items together. I.e., books, kitchen items, bathroom items, etc. This will make it easier to unpack and settle into your new home.
Label and pack one box that says “UNPACK FIRST!” with things you will need right away in your new home – medication, hand sanitizer, face masks, phone chargers, a few clothes, self care items, snacks, electronic devices, sheets, towels, etc. (Pro tip: your moving company can load this box last so it’s ready for you right away!)
Label all your boxes with a brief description of what’s inside. Write which room it goes in on the top and side of the box, and write FRAGILE in big letters to protect delicate items.
Use small plastic bags to store screws, bolts, hardware for each item you take apart. Then, tape the bag to the item with blue painters tape. (It comes off easily and won’t leave a mark.)
Don’t pack your cleaning supplies or vacuum cleaners until everything else is packed up. You will want to do a final cleaning once everything is moved out.
If the temperature is hot, make sure to pack anything perishable last and then unload it first.
Keep valuable items on your person and do NOT pack them in a box or put them in the moving truck! This includes things like jewelry, cash, car title, insurance documents, passport, drivers license, university ID, etc.
Where to get boxes and tape
From your moving company. We have bundles available for purchase at Flint Hills Moving and will pick up the unused portions.
Local grocery stores / big retailers. Try going in late at night or early in the morning when they are restocking shelves.
Facebook groups in your community, like gifting groups or buy / sell / trade groups. You can often get boxes from people who recently moved.
Whew! Moving is a ton of work!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed now (or want to avoid that feeling in the future), you can hire Flint Hills Moving to make your move less stressful. We offer local and long-distance moves that include loading, unloading, and transporting items to your new home – and we can do the packing, too!
Our friendly team will work quickly but efficiently to protect your items. And, unlike other local moving companies, we’re fully insured in case accidents happen.
Reach out to us today to get a free quote!
PLEASE NOTE: We recommend booking your move at least two months in advance, if possible. During busy season it might be hard to get the date you want.